Schmidt, Manuela, Prof. Dr.


  • Since 2020: Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Vienna
  • Since 2019: W2-Professor at the Faculty of Biology and Psychology, University of Goettingen
  • Since 2012: Emmy Noether Group Leader
  • 2007-2012: Postdoc with Ardem Patapoutian, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
  • 2002-2006: PhD, Neurosciences, International Max Planck School Neurosciences, Laboratory of Stephan Sigrist, ENI-G, Goettingen, Germany
  • 2001-2002: Master, Neurosciences, International Max Planck School Neurosciences, Goettingen, Germany
  • 1997-2002: Diploma, Biology, University of Wuerzburg, Germany




Major Research Interests

Research in our laboratory is driven by our motivation to decipher the dynamics of protein networks underlying vertebrate somatosensation in health, development (aging) and disease (chronic pain). Methodologically, we combine molecular biology, biochemistry and latest proteomics techniques, electrophysiology, pharmacology, mouse models of painful pathologies and in vivo virus-mediated gene transfer.
This multidisciplinary approach has enabled us to reveal ion channel-associated signaling complexes (i.e. the interactome of TRPV1, TRPA1 and Piezo2 channels) with pathological relevance for pain. Moreover, in a quantitative systems biology approach, we investigate spatiotemporal proteome dynamics both in mice and humans. Our research lives from our fruitful collaborations with basic researchers and clinicians alike facilitating forward and reverse translation of our research results.
In this way we strive to gain mechanistic insights into developmental and pain-associated plasticity – an endeavor, which lies at the heart of both understanding the molecular signature of chronic pain and identifying novel drug targets.


Homepage Department/Research Group

https://pharmtox.univie.ac.at/people/professors/prof-schmidt/



Selected Recent Publications



  • Niklas M, Narayanan P, Shomroni, O, Schmidt M (2020). Maturational Changes in Mouse Cutaneous Touch and Piezo2-Mediated Mechanotransduction. Cell Reports. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107912. Editors´ Pick “Paper of the Week”, PainResearchForum
  • Sondermann J, Barry AM, Jahn O, Michel N, Abdelaziz R, Kügler S, Gomez-Varela D, Schmidt M (2019). Vti1b promotes TRPV1 sensitization during inflammatory pain. PAIN. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001418. Awarded with “1st prize for pain research 2019” (Förderpreis für Schmerzforschung), German Pain Society
  • Barry AM, Sondermann J, Sondermann JH, Gomez-Varela D and Schmidt M (2018). Region resolved quantitative proteome profiling reveals molecular dynamics associated with chronic pain in the PNS and spinal cord. Front. Mol. Neurosci. doi: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00259
  • Narayanan P, Huette M, Kudryasheva G, Taberner FJ, Lechner S, Rehfeldt F, Gomez-Varela D, Schmidt M (2018). Myotubularin related protein-2 and its phospholipid substrate PIP2 control Piezo2-mediated mechanotransduction in peripheral sensory neurons. eLife. doi: 10.7554/eLife.32346
  • Rouwette T, Sondermann J, Avenali L, Gomez-Varela D, Schmidt M (2016). Standardized profiling of the membrane-enriched proteome of mouse dorsal root ganglia provides novel insights into chronic pain. Molecular & Cellular Proteomics, doi: 10.1074/mcp.M116.058966.